Support Connecting Apparatus For Using Inside Vehicles

ABSTRACT

A support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles and being installed in the space between a windshield and an installation surface is provided, including a fixing module and at least a connecting module. The fixing module includes a first fixing unit, a second fixing unit and an adjustable support unit. The first fixing unit and the second fixing unit are connected to the two ends of the adjustable support unit. The adjustable support unit can be adjusted for extending the length or retracting so that the fixing module can be installed in the space between the windshield and the installation surface. The connecting module is connected to the fixing module to provide connection to other objects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles, to be installed in the space between the windshield and the dashboard so as to provide connection to other objects or devices for convenience of use of electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous electronic devices commonly used in vehicles, including electronic toll collection (ETC) receiver, mobile phone, video player, PDA, GPS, digital TV, and so on. These electronic devices must use a connecting apparatus for installment inside the vehicle. The connecting apparatus is usually fixed to an appropriate location inside the vehicle for holding the electronic device. For example, depending on the type and design, the connecting apparatus can be fixed to the windshield, top surface of the dashboard, and so on, so that the electronic devices can be held and conveniently used.

There are disadvantages for the connecting mechanism used by the conventional connecting apparatus for engaging to the vehicle:

-   -   1. Plugged into the cigarette lighter: the disadvantage is to         damage the cigarette lighter;     -   2. glued to the surface above the dash board: difficult to         remove and ruin the interior decoration of the vehicle; and     -   3. using sucker to attach to windshield: blocking the driver's         view and possible to interfere with the safety; thus some places         prohibits the use of such devices.

Because of the above shortcomings of the conventional designs, it is imperative to provide a support connecting apparatus that can utilize the space between he windshield and the top surface of the dashboard so as to provide connection to electronic device holders. The support connecting apparatus can tightly push against the top surface of the dash board and the windshield to provide firm support as the basis for holding the electronic device or for other device holders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles, to be installed in the space between the windshield and the dashboard of the vehicles.

To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a fixing module and at least a connecting module. The fixing module includes a first fixing unit, a second fixing unit and an adjustable support unit. The first fixing unit and the second fixing unit are connected to the two ends of the adjustable support unit. The adjustable support unit can be adjusted for extending the length or retracting. The first fixing unit includes an attach element with a smooth surface for contacting the inner surface of the windshield. The second fixing unit includes an anti-slippery element for contacting the installation surface close to the windshield. Therefore, the fixing module is fixed between the windshield and the installation surface, i.e., the top surface of the dashboard. The connecting module is connected to the fixing module to provide connection to other objects.

The joint of the first fixing unit and the adjustable support unit includes a first angle adjustment and lock set, and the joint of the second fixing unit and the adjustable support unit includes a second angle adjustment and lock set so that the adjustable support unit can be adjusted to a fixed angle and lock in the angles with the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit. This allows the fixing module to be applicable to more variety of vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles with a strong hold. When in use, the adjustable support unit maintains in the pushing-out position so as to provide forces to cause the friction between the soft attach element of the first fixing unit and the windshield and the friction between the anti-slippery element of the second fixing unit and the installation surface. In addition, the smooth contact surface of the attach element is tightly pressed against the windshield to form a suction effect so as to enhance the strong hold.

The support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles of the present invention can be used as a connection base inside the vehicle for providing connection to various device holders to hold electronic devices.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be understood in more detail by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a dissected view of the components of the adjustable support unit of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic dissected view of the first angle adjustment and lock set of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an actual application of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the second embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the third embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the fourth embodiment the present invention actual application;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the fifth embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the sixth embodiment the present invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the seventh embodiment the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicle of the present invention. The support connecting apparatus can be installed between the windshield and the installation surface. The installation surface is top surface of the dash board close to the windshield. A support connecting apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a fixing module 10 and a connecting module 20. The fixing module 10 is for fixing to the space near the bottom of the windshield. Connecting module 20 is connected to fixing module 10 to provide connection to other objects, such as device holders. Connecting module 20 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Fixing module 10 includes a first fixing unit 11, a second fixing unit 12 and an adjustable support unit 13. First fixing unit 11 and second fixing unit 12 are connected to the two ends of adjustable support unit 13. In this embodiment, the length of adjustable support unit 13 can be extended or retracted. First fixing unit 11 includes an attach element 111 at the tip, made of a soft material with a large area of contact surface 1111. The edge area of contact surface 1111 is smooth. Second fixing unit 12 includes an anti-slippery element 121 at the bottom. Anti-slippery element 121 is located at the other end away from the joint where second fixing unit 12 and adjustable support 13 are connected. Anti-slippery element 121 is made of soft material with high friction coefficient. The main feature of the present invention is that attach element 111 of first fixing unit 11, with contact surface 1111 tightly pressed against windshield, provides good friction. When pulled by external force, contact surface 1111 forms a vacuum suction with the windshield so enhance the strong hold of fixing module 10. Attach element 111 can also be shaped as a suction disk.

The following describes the components of the present invention in details. As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, the length of adjustable support unit 13 can be adjusted. Because the adjustment mechanism can be achieved through various means, the realization of adjustable support unit 13 is not limited to present embodiment. Adjustable support unit 13 includes a first connecting element 131, a rotation element 132 and a second connecting element 133. First connecting element 131 is coupled to first fixing unit 11 and a first angle adjustment and lock set 14 is responsible for locking the position after angle adjustment. The bottom of second connecting element 131 is coupled to second fixing unit 12 and a second angle adjustment and lock set 15 is responsible for locking the position after angle adjustment. Rotation element 132 is hollow, with the top sheathed with first connecting element 131 and remaining rotatable. The inner wall of rotation element 132 includes inner screw teeth 1321. The outer wall of second connecting element 133 near the top includes outer screw teeth 1331. The top of second connecting element extends inside rotation element 132. When rotation element 132 rotates, second connecting element 133 will extend or retract along the axis direction to increase or shorten the length of adjustable support unit 13.

To prevent second connecting element 133 from rotating synchronously with rotation element 132, adjustable support unit 13 may further include a guide tube 134 inside, as shown in FIGS. 2 & 3. Guide tube 134 is fastened to the bottom of first connecting element 131 when assembled. The outer wall of guide tube 134 includes at least a guide trench 1341 vertically. The center area of second connecting element 133 includes a housing hole 1332 an at least a guide protruding strip 1333. Guide protruding strip 1333 is located on the vertical hole wall of housing hole 1332. When assembled, guide tube 134 is inside housing hole 1332 and guide protruding strip 1333 is inside guide trench 1341. Therefore, when rotation element 132 rotates, second connecting element 133 will only extend or retract along the axis direction, instead of rotating.

First angle adjustment and lock set 14 and second angle adjustment and lock set 15 are for locking in the position of first fixing unit 11, second fixing unit 12 and adjustable support unit 13 after the angle adjustment. There are various means to realize first angle adjustment and lock set 14 and second angle adjustment and lock set 15, and thus are not limited to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 & 4, first fixing unit 11 is coupled to first connecting element 131 of adjustable support unit 13. First angle adjustment and lock set 14 includes a screw 141, a ring 142, a rotation button 143 and a screw cap 144. Ring 142 includes a teeth surface 1421. The vertical surface of first connecting element 131 contacting ring 142 also includes a teeth surface (not shown in the figure). The components of first angle adjustment and lock set 14 are located at the joint where first fixing unit 11 and adjustable support unit 13 are connected. When rotation button 143 is loosened, the angle between first fixing unit 11 and adjustable support unit 13 can be adjusted. The position can be locked in by fastening rotation button 143. Two side lids 145, 146 are engaged to the side walls of first fixing unit 11 and rotation button 143 for aesthetic purpose.

Second angle adjustment and lock set 15 is located at the joint of second fixing unit 12 and adjustable support unit 13. The structure and the operation of second angle adjustment and lock set 15 are similar to those of first angle adjustment and lock set 14, and thus are omitted here. However, as connecting module 20 is also engaged to the joint of second fixing unit 12 and adjustable support unit 13, second angle adjustment and lock set 15 can lock in the relative positions of second fixing unit 12, adjustable support 13 and connecting module 20 at the same time. When rotation button 151 is loosened, the relative positions of the above three components can be adjusted. Rotation button 151 can be fastened to lock in the relative positions after the adjustment.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of actual application of the present invention. Support connecting apparatus 1 of the present invention is installed between a windshield 60 and an installation surface 61. Installation surface 61 is the top surface of the dashboard. By adjusting the length of adjustable support unit 13, fixing module 10 can tightly press contact surface 1111 of attach element 111 of first fixing unit 11 against the inner wall of windshield 60 and anti-slippery element 121 of second fixing unit 12 against installation surface 61 to achieve a strong hold. Attach element 111 can act like a suction to enhance the hold of fixing module 10. Connecting module 20 can provide connections of a device holder 30 for holding an electronic device.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, adjustable support unit 13A uses a spring 135 inside for extending and retraction. Therefore, the adjustable support unit of the present invention is not limited to any specific structure. Any mechanism that can be used for length adjustment and provide pushing force toward two ends in locked-in position can be used as the adjustable support unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, connecting module 20A includes a bendable support rod 21 to provide various connection positions to other objects. Connecting module 20A of the present invention can be designed to match the structure of the connected object and is not limited to any specific shape. In addition, connecting module 20A is connected to second fixing unit 12 is this embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, two connecting modules are used, including connecting module 20 and second connecting module 20B. Connecting module 20 is identical to the embodiment in FIG. 5. Second connecting module 20B is engaged to the joint where first fixing unit 11 and adjustable support unit 13 are connected. Second connecting module 20B is a holder to holding ETC receiver 40. As shown, the number of the connecting modules of the present invention is not limited to one, and the locations of connecting modules can be engaged to any part of first fixing unit 11, second fixing unit 12 or adjustable support unit 13. The shape and structure of the connecting modules can be designed in accordance with the objects or devices to connect.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, attach element 111A of first fixing unit 11A is realized by a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly. When installed, attach element 111A can be sheathed to the top of first fixing unit 11.

FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first fixing unit 11B and adjustable support unit 13 are realized by a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly. When installed, first fixing unit 11B can be sheathed to the top of adjustable support unit 13. Similarly, second fixing unit and adjustable support unit 13 can also be realized by a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly.

FIG. 11 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first fixing unit 11 includes a plurality of attach elements 111B. The size of attach elements 111B is smaller, and a plurality of attach elements 111B will enhance the strong hold of first fixing unit 11 when in use.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A support connecting apparatus for using inside vehicles, installed in the space between a windshield and an installation surface inside said vehicle, said support connecting apparatus comprising: a fixing module, further comprising: a first fixing unit, having at least an attach element, said attach element having a contact surface with edge area being smooth, said contact surface of said attach element attaching said windshield when installed; a second fixing unit, having an anti-slippery element, said anti-slippery element contacting said installation surface when installed; and an adjustable support unit, with two ends connected to said first fixing unit and said second fixing unit respectively, having adjustable length by extending or retraction, providing force to push said first fixing unit and said second fixing unit when installed; and at least a connecting module, connected to said fixing module to provide connection to other objects.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attach element is located at the tip of said first fixing unit, and said tip is the location away from the joint of said first fixing unit and said adjustable support unit.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection of said adjustable support unit and said first fixing unit is of the coupling joint means.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said joint of said first fixing unit and said adjustable support unit further comprises a first angle adjustment and lock set for locking in the relative position after angle adjustment.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anti-slippery element is located at the bottom of said second fixing unit, and said bottom is the area away from the connection between said second fixing element and said adjustable support unit.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection of said adjustable support unit and said second fixing unit is of the coupling joint means.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said joint of said second fixing unit and said adjustable support unit further comprises a second angle adjustment and lock set for locking in the relative position after angle adjustment.
 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attach element is realized with a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly to connect to said first fixing unit.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection between said first fixing unit and said adjustable support unit is realized by a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection between said second fixing unit and said adjustable support unit is realized by a connection structure that can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attach element of said first fixing unit is a suction disc.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustable support unit comprises a spring inside to provide the force to said first fixing unit and said second fixing unit for pushing out when installed. 